Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lamented the death of Nigerian highlife icon Mike Ejeagha, describing him as a “storyteller, teacher, and guardian of the Igbo oral tradition”.
Ejeagha, 95, died on Friday evening at 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a long illness.
His eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the news to reporters on Saturday.
In a touching homage released through his official social media handles, Atiku stated, ”Gentleman Mike Ejeagha was more than a musician; he was a storyteller, a teacher, and a guardian of Igbo oral tradition.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Popularly called “Gentleman” for his calm demeanour and lyrical grace, Ejeagha was recently brought back into the public eye through a heartfelt visit by comedian and skit maker Brain Jotter.
The entertainer’s interaction with the aged star rekindled public enthusiasm for his work.
Atiku’s homage included the line, “It is heartwarming to note that thanks to Brain Jotter, highlife maestro Mike Ejeagha had his ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ encore dance before the curtain was drawn,” referring to his characteristic sound and the emotional outpouring of love that followed the viral appearance.
Ejeagha, known for his traditional lyrics, proverbs, and didactic narrative style, is a towering figure in Nigerian music.
Many of his songs become cultural touchstones in Igbo-speaking communities and beyond.
Ejeagha’s musical career spanned six decades and resulted in a wide catalogue of songs noted for their profound knowledge, philosophical tone, and traditional instruments.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
